News & Events

Consulting RFQ

October 18, 2017

Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) invites the submission of responses to its Request for Qualifications and Quotations (RFQQ) for SharePoint Consulting Services.

Located in Wilsonville, Oregon, OCDC is seeking to identify individuals or firms capable of providing consulting services to improve user adoption and system effectiveness. OCDC currently operates on-premises SharePoint Server 2010 with standard client licenses. It is OCDC’s intent to establish one or more professional services agreements with qualified contractors selected through this RFQQ. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP), and, thus, OCDC is not currently seeking proposals for any specific project or projects.

Understanding your bilingual child: the “silent phase”

Research tells us that early childhood is the best time to learn a second language. Young children’s brains are wired to learn as much information as they can. But what really happens when a child is exposed to a second language? If your child starts going to a bilingual school, what should you expect?

It’s probably no surprise that every child is different. Children learn languages in different ways and in different stages. When some children start learning a new language they go through what’s called a “silent phase”.

When a child is exposed to a new language, their brain wants to figure out what is going on around them. They start listening and looking more carefully. They will use context clues to figure out what is going on.

Sometimes, when a child is learning a second language, they will not speak as much in their home language. This “silent phase” is completely normal and many children experience it. Some children will experience it for a long time. Some children will slow down their speech, or take more time to respond to a question. These responses are all OK, because everyone learns a little bit differently.

The best way to support a child going through a silent phase is to use lots of body language, facial expressions and physical objects while you are communicating with them. If you can, it’s good to make connections between the home language and the second language, like having a book with the same story written in two different languages.

It’s also important to continue speaking to your child in your home language and to be patient with them. Singing songs together is a great way to help build language skills too! It can help your child’s development while their brain “decodes” the second language and learns how the two languages can work together.

If you have questions about your child’s language development, you can ask your OCDC teacher for help. She can help you create games you can play with your child, or she can help you find resources from OCDC or from the community. Don’t be afraid to ask! We are here to help you and to help your child, so that everyone grows up as health and as happy as possible.

Safe Sleep Article

Check out the Safe Sleep article in the Oregonian that features our cribs for kids program!

Together, We Can Prevent Infant Death

February 23, 2015

Each year 4,000 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly in the U.S. More than half of these deaths are due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, commonly known as SIDS.

Recent research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that most infant deaths happen in a bed-sharing situation: close to 74 percent of deaths in babies younger than four months, and 60 percent of deaths in babies four months to a year old.

The Oregon Child Development Coalition is leading a statewide initiative to increase safe infant sleep. To do this, we, provide education to families, staff, and the greater community while providing safe sleep resources to families in need.

In early 2014, OCDC became the first Cribs for Kids® partner in Oregon, and receives Graco® portable cribs at a reduced rate. In only four months, OCDC has provided more than 100 cribs to families who otherwise would go without.

OCDC is searching for additional funding from private donors to pay for more cribs; OCDC is also encouraging other agencies and institutions to become a partner with Cribs for Kids®. With the support from donors and partners statewide, we can do more.

To keep our babies safe, we as parents need to put our babies to sleep in a crib with a tight fitting mattress, on his or her back, with no sheets, blankets, or stuffed animals.

Officers of the Board

Did you #Rally4Babies?

On Wednesday December 10th, the White House teamed up with The National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families to #RallyForBabies and remind us all that early childhood experiences matter! Here are two awesome employees from Washington County reminding us to invest in babies and in Early Head Start!

Upcoming Board meeting details!

October 8, 2014

A quick announcement: OCDC is having its next Board of Directors meeting on November 15th, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at our Wilsonville office (9410 Sw Pioneer Court, Suite E Wilsonville, OR 97070). These meetings are open to the public and you are welcome to join us.

America’s Pride: 50 years of Head Start

September 23, 2014

All across the country, folks are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Head Start by wearing red, white and blue. The team from Malheur County – staff, parents and students – went all out!

Here’s our team from Washington County showing their pride!

And here is our Transportation team from Washington showing their pride!

You want to see more? How about our Washington County Family Services team?

… our awesome staff from Jose Pedro:

… & a few of our Central Office staff join Donalda to show their Head Start Pride!

Anita G. featured in The Dalles Chronicle

September 22, 2014

Anita Gallegos, our HR administrator in for Hood River and Wasco County, was featured in last month’s Women in Business section of the Dalles Chronicle. Anita and the team in the Dalles run an intense program during cherry season – everyone has to be hired, trained and ready to go in a few weeks. The team has to work 12-14 hour days during peak season, and we couldn’t do it without Anita! You can see the article here – and congratulations Anita, you deserve the recognition for your hard work!

State funding helps OCDC expand services in Chiloquin

Gardening at OCDC!

August 8, 2014

Toddlers from a classroom in Klamath show off their yummy vegetables! We have community gardens on the playground, and each classroom grows veggies for kids to eat and take home. The kids were so excited to take them home and show their parents!

Welcome to the new OCDC Website!

We’re excited to introduce our new and improved website! Take a tour and find out how you can get involved with the amazing team at OCDC.